A crowded boardwalk or beach on the first warm day of spring is typically a welcome sight in New Jersey. But as more and more restrictions on social gathering have been put in place during the coronavirus pandemic, a number of seaside towns have made the decisions to close their beaches or boardwalks.
Some beaches do remain open for passive activities, but like at any park, sunbathers are asked to keep at least six feet apart from people outside those they live with.
Asbury Park
Police in Asbury Park are currently monitoring the boardwalk to make sure visitors are practicing social distancing, and closing it is not off the table.
“We cannot not listen to the governor’s executive order,” Mayor John Moor previously told NJ Advance Media. “We cannot put our head in the sand and be ostriches. This is for real.”
Atlantic City
The beach is open, but many of the other draws of Atlantic City are closed. Casinos, bars and clubs have all been ordered closed, and restaurants can only offer take-out or delivery.
Deal
Deal is also asking that season residents and visitors hold off on visiting its beaches, particularly those coming from New York City.
“This is necessary to stop the spread of this highly infectious disease. If you already have, or decide to relocate please self-quarantine for 14 days so as not to inadvertently spread the virus to anyone. This includes our vital first responders,” police said in a Facebook post.
Lavallette
Lavallette closed its boardwalk Thursday afternoon, police said in a statement. A municipal ordinance also barred the rental of any homes on AirNB or any other online marketplaces.
These bans are in effect until the statewide State of Emergency is lifted.
Long Beach Township
Dogs are currently banned from the bay beaches because of “limited space and overuse of these areas,” Township officials said. Parks and playgrounds are closed.
Officials are asking that those who keep a second home in the township not take a pandemic vacation and risk overwhelming local hospitals.
“We are strongly recommending that you remain in your primary service area and DO NOT relocate to the shore area. Be mindful if you do travel you will not access to your local health care providers with a better appreciation of your medical history,” the Joseph Lattanzi, the township commissioner, said.
Margate
Have a second home in Margate? Please postpone your visit, city commissioners said.
“Please be mindful, health care and emergency services are not equipped to handle a large influx of individuals at this time of the year,” commissioners said in a Facebook post.
Ocean City
All beaches and boardwalks are closed in Ocean City as of Wednesday afternoon.
“I want to take every measure I can to protect the community,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement. “We have a large senior population, and it’s of utmost importance to take their well-being into consideration.”
Point Pleasant Beach
Although the beach is open, Point Pleasant’s popular boardwalk is not, Mayor Paul Kanitra said. The decision was made after a warm Friday drew large crowds to the narrow boardwalk.
While access to the beach is still allowed, that could be changed if officials notice people aren’t practicing social distancing.
Sandy Hook
The beach remains open at Sandy Hook, within the Gateway National Recreation Area. All park buildings and restrooms have been closed. That means you can’t get a fishing permit at the park during the pandemic, its website says.
Sea Girt
The boardwalk was closed Thursday morning, Sea Girt police said on their Facebook page. You can still access the beach.
Seasonal residents coming from New York or other virus hot spots are asked to self-quarantine for 4 days, police said.
Seaside Heights
All crossover gates have been closed at the ocean and the bay in this popular tourist town, Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony E. Vaz said Monday. The boardwalk is not closed.
Vaz said they decided to close the beaches ahead of the warmer weather and the usual prom season tourist push. “We know from Florida’s experience with their beaches that people can’t help themselves and do stupid things,” he said.
Spring Lake
The Spring Lake boardwalk was closed to the public effective Tuesday evening, police said earlier this week. You can still visit the Spring Lake Beaches.
“The Mayor and Council have taken this step for the safety of our residents and visitors, as it is impossible to achieve realistic social distancing on the boardwalk,” the police department said.
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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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